A/N:SURPRISE! Happy Tuesday! I'm posting a day early :) And you get an EPOV... How much do you love me? HAHA! Probably not as much as I love you guys! Welcome to all the new followers! I'm so excited that you guys are loving story as much as me! Thank you for the follows and faves! And for the reviews! You guys make me squee!

I don't own the characters. Wouldn't dream of pretending otherwise! This little plot bunny however, is my very own, and I hope you like it!

Thanks to my beta ladies: Ninmesarra and prettyflour. You girls are fantabulous! Thanks a bazillion!Of course, any remaining mistakes are my own fault! Most likely from last minute tinkering!

~*C2C*~

EPOV

Damn. This girl was driving was crazy. She was whispering and whimpering in her sleep. It sounded like she was having a sex dream and it was my name she was saying. I wouldn't mind if it was starring me- in fact, since she started coming to my bar last year, she's starred in several of mine.

Bella just doesn't know how beautiful she really is. Her plump lips, long dark hair with reddish tints to it, and chocolate doe eyes turn me on. She has body that leaves me adjusting myself all night long. Her tits are perky and just the right size. Not too big, not too small. And her ass, well, it fills her jeans out perfectly.

When I explained the art of checking out or eye-fucking, I thought I was going to revert back to my teenage years. She had all of me standing at attention and she hadn't even touched me. I hadn't had that happen since I graduated high school and started getting laid regularly. Then, when I leaned across the table, I was going to kiss her. I really wanted to taste her, but that damn drunk, Pete, had to go and mess everything up. She'd finished her drink and left with nothing more than a wave. Not even so much as a by your leave… just left.

Of course she came back after her date, and hell if it wasn't one of the most awful descriptions I'd ever heard. She'd been pelted by hail and hit on by creepy guys, and her actual date was either too much pussy to say anything and defend her, or just didn't respect her enough. Either way, she deserved better.

Then this date. With frickin' Embry. She has an allergic reaction and swells up. Poor girl has awful luck. And what were her friends thinking? These guys weren't right for her. And no, it isn't jealousy that has me saying that.

She isn't fake. Her smile is genuine and lights up her eyes. Her snark and sarcasm keep me on my toes when we talk. Bella is awesome.

Her dreams quieted and I just watched her sleep for a little while. She looked cute with her mouth slightly open and quiet snores escaping.

I can't actually act on my feelings. Bella deserves better than me. She deserves more than a fucking bartender. Okay, so I own the bar, but it's not a great income. Some months we're barely floating by. She deserves a guy that can give her the world on a silver platter and a heart of gold. Not someone as poor and jacked up as I am.

I have a past I'm not proud of. I made mistakes that cost some people a whole lot. I'll not be making those same mistakes again, but the damage was already done. And unfortunately, I can't bring the dead back to life.

I glanced down at Bella. She was dreaming again, but this time they weren't pleasant. Thrashing and crying, she was muttering, "No Sam. Not gonna change it." She was so restless. I did the only thing I could think of, I sang- every song that came to my mind, I sang it to her. It actually worked and calmed her right down. Yep, I'm a miracle worker and a cure for nightmares. I couldn't help the big cheesy grin that spread across my face, I did that. I calmed her nightmare- Hell yes! Apparently I'm also an arrogant ass, too. That's what my sister-in-law says anyhow.

~*C2C*~

BPOV

I awoke to the sound of a beautiful voice singing right above my face. Blinking my eyes, I peered up at it and knew I had to be dreaming. "Eddie?" I asked.

"Yeah, Bella?" he whispered back.

"Ungh," I moaned as I stretched. "What are you doing here?" I blinked my eyes in confusion. My head was swimming and my mouth felt weird.

"Well, Bella, you had a date with Embry last night, remember?" I nodded and he continued, "You had an allergic reaction..."

My hand flew to my lips in mortification. My fingers pushed and pulled them as I tried to determine how swollen they still were.

"Calm down; it's ok. Although today you bear a resemblance to Angelina…" I glared and he laughed. "Seriously though, you were pretty out of it. Embry said you guzzled a whole two bottles of Benadryl before I got here. And he called me as soon as he got you home. Are you feeling better?"

I moved to sit up, but collapsed back onto the couch cushions, my head cradled in his lap- the room was spinning much to quickly for me to make it all the way up. "Can you make the room stop spinning?" I asked him in a weak voice.

"I'd love to, but I think that's going to have to wear off. It appears you've got a bit of hangover from all the allergy meds."

"Go figure. I can drink Emmett under the table and be fine the next day, but too much medicine makes me ill."

"Emmett? Who's that?"

"Emmett McCarty. He's my friend Rose's husband and he looks like a mountain. He's like six foot six and could have been a linebacker in the NFL, but he blew out his knee playing college ball. He has a huge tolerance level for alcohol. I may be tipsy after a six pack, but I've never had a hangover… until now," I rubbed at my temples, trying to drive the pounding there away.

Edward was impressed- his eyebrows were raised and he had a look of admiration on his handsome face. "You are friends with Freight Train McCarty?"

"Oh my god, you just went all fan-girl on me. Yeah, Emmett is my best drinking buddy. He keeps me entertained."

"You so have to let me hang out with guys sometime! Please?" he batted his eyes at me, like a little kid begging for an extra piece of candy or dessert.

I couldn't help but laugh, "Do you know how ridiculous you look? If you want to be introduced I can arrange that."

He all but jumped for joy. The grin that split his face was beatific. This was my Eddie though- he was absolutely gorgeous. His shirt today was definitely flattering- It clung in all the right places, showing his very well-defined muscles. Have I mentioned that I think he is the sexiest thing I've ever clapped eyes on? I have? Oh, so sorry.

Apparently he was satisfied with that line of discussion, as he turned it to another vein, "How did your date go?" I couldn't be positive but it almost sounded as though he was jealous. Nah… he's him, and I'm so me- ordinary and plain.

Sighing, I began my tale, "Well, before the date even started, I think I messed up. I couldn't remember taking my cold medicine, so I think I may have over-medicated. I tripped into the door when I was going to answer it, went bowling- oh, and scored my highest score ever! A whopping forty-six! That was after I almost picked a twenty pound ball and thanked him for switching it to a ten pound one by telling him I didn't need a hernia from playing with balls-"

"Oh my God, Bella. Seriously? You said that?" I nodded, and had to wait for his laughter to cease before I could continue on. I swear the poor man was laughing so hard he was crying. "That is so priceless… Man, I wish I could have seen that!"

"If you're quite finished laughing at my expense…?"

"I'm sorry," he said while sucking in great gulps of air, "But, you gotta admit that is absolutely hilarious."

"I guess, I would laugh if it was anyone but me," I couldn't help but admit. Besides, I didn't want him to think I was a total bitch.

"So, what happened after you bowled? A forty-six?"

"Yes, a forty-six. It's what happens when you have the coordination of a newborn calf," I smiled as he laughed lightly again. "Anyhow, on the ride to the diner, I vaguely remember car-dancing with him and then we ordered food. Then I remember my mouth swelling up- think duck-bill, like Donald or Daffy. We stopped to get Benadryl somewhere, and now we're here."

"That's basically what Embry said. I think he liked you, but was totally freaked out for a first date. Um, I'm really sorry Bella. You seem to have the worst luck," his forehead furrowed as he said this.

"Eh, it's no big deal. He was more the friend type anyway. There just was no real chemistry."

"I see. Not your type, huh?"

"I guess not. I never really thought of myself as having type though."

"Well, hmm, what do you look for in a guy?"

"First thing I notice is his eyes. You can tell a lot about a person from their eyes. Whether they smile or squint a lot, sometimes you can tell if they are warm and caring, or cold and hard from their eyes. Then I look at his smile. Is it a smile I could look at every day? Forever?"

"Ok, what about personality?"

"I like a guy that has a sense of humor, isn't afraid to be serious when the occasion calls for it, and is kind and considerate- not afraid to take care of a friend." I noticed he'd grown strangely quiet, and decided to lighten the mood, "And of course, a killer body never hurt!"

He laughed slightly, but didn't say anything. The silence was killing me. What was he thinking? I sat up and leaned against the couch. My hands began to twine together as I rolled them nervously. I thought I might spontaneously combust if he didn't say anything soon. I could envision it- my head just exploding into tiny bits… not a pretty picture, let me tell you.

Just when I was going to say something, anything- I didn't even know what yet- my stomach growled, loudly. I blushed in embarrassment, but he just laughed again. "How about we go get you something to eat, Angelina?"

I tossed a throw pillow at him, and agreed.

"Well, where would you like to go?"

"Um, never having had a hangover, I wouldn't know- what's good for it, Eddie?"

"I usually go for greasy breakfast food. Bacon, pancakes, French toast, sausage- that kind of thing."

"That actually sounds perfect. So, IHOP? Denny's? Waffle House?"

"Let's go to IHOP. That's my favorite."

"Sounds good."

We were bundled up and out the door in no time. The drive was short, and we were seated and ordering quickly. We made idle chit chat- talked about mundane things like work, co-workers, and he regaled me with tales of the alkies that visited the bar.

"-so there he is, drunk as a skunk, and he whips it out and pees on a fake tree in the corner. I'm not even kidding. We had to call the police, because when Chelsea tried to get him to quit and go to a cab, he pissed on her shoe."

I was cracking up laughing. "You can't be serious! I didn't think things like that really happened."

"Bella, you are the definition of things that don't happen to normal people."

"Wait a second, you don't think I'm normal?" I stuck my bottom lip out, and pouted.

"That's not what I meant," he was turning a lovely shade of pink- it was so adorable that he would blush, too, he recovered quickly, though. "You better put that lip back in, Princess, or I may have to bite it."

"Wh-what?"

His gaze darkened as he stared at my lips. I wondered if he really wanted to kiss me. It was so frustrating, knowing him, but not knowing him. Not really anyway. I didn't know the things I wanted to know about him- his favorite color, his favorite food, his parents, if he had a big or small family, what he looked like in the morning when he first wakes up. I wanted to ask him how many kids he wanted to have, and know how he tastes when he kisses.

He leaned across the table and grabbed my hand. His long fingers traced around mine. I was leaning further across the table, and I just knew he was going to kiss me. "Bella," he whispered.

"Here ya'll go!" the waitress said, laying our check down on the table with a giggle and an obvious ogle at Eddie. We may not have been there together, but she didn't know that. I wanted to rip her hair out. Eddie waved her away, and picked up the check. Pulling some money out of his wallet, he threw it on the table.

I grabbed the check, and looked at the bottom. Instead of a total, I saw a phone number scrawled along the bottom. "What in the-"

"Just forget it Bella. I don't even care. She's not- well, she's not my type."

"Oh. I see."

He smirked. Damn. He had the sexiest smirk- it was such a turn on. "I don't think you do. Not yet, anyway."

I didn't understand. For once, I wish someone would just speak plain instead of in riddles. Oh well.

"Hey, you have another date, right? Is it today?"

"Oh my god. It is! I need to get home and shower and change. This guy, Mike or whatever, is taking me hiking. I swear these girls know absolutely nothing about me. Me and hiking?"

"Oh come on, Bella. You can do a lot more than you think you can, I bet. You just need more confidence. Be sure of yourself. You don't even know how beautiful you are, do you?" He looked me up and down, one eyebrow quirked and that damn smirk.

I blushed, and kept walking. "Bella, wait, please. Don't run away from me."

I stopped, staring at the ground and waited. When his shoes came into view, I felt his hand grab hold of mine. He laced our fingers together, then his other hand was at my chin, tilting my face up. "Look at me please?" I raised my eyes to his, "I didn't mean that as an insult. I just don't think you see yourself the way everyone else does. You are absolutely beautiful, Bella. You're talented and I love your sense of humor. You are an awesome woman. Any guy would be lucky for you to give them a chance."

I could see the sincerity in his eyes. It made me feel… I didn't know. I couldn't put a word to it. It was amazing and sweet and… such a total crock of shit. "Don't. Eddie, you could get any girl you want. Don't play with my craziness, please. For God's sake, the waitress in there- with her size two, curvy figure, boobs the size of Texas, blonde hair, blue eyes, and bright smile- I can't compete with that. I wouldn't even try."

"That's where you're wrong. Not every guy is out for a synthetic Barbie doll type. Some of us want a girl that's real. Down to earth, and sincere. I don't want a fake girl that only wants my body any more than you do. There is so much more to me- and you- than that. Don't sell me short or pretend you know everything about me from the conversations we've had at the bar. You've never really asked any questions about me. Granted I'm working when your there, but still…"

"You're right, Eddie. I'm sorry," I apologized, feeling properly chastised. It was crazy to feel so wound up and cranky. Eddie was my friend. I didn't want to lose that. "Why don't we hang out after my date? I'll come by the bar and hang out 'til you get off, then we can grab a midnight snack- or something. I'd really like to be your friend."

"Friends? Yeah, sure. You can tell me all about your date while I tend the bar. Sound good?" I nodded and he took me home.

I had just enough time to dress in my long underwear, jeans, heavy sweater, coat and boots. My hair was softly curling around my face and the top was covered by my stocking hat. This Mike guy was insane. Did he not know that it was subzero outside? It is November. Definitely not the warmest time of year here. It wasn't snowy or icy yet, but it wouldn't be long. They say if you don't like the weather in Missouri, wait five minutes, it'll change.

I was praying that it wouldn't snow or storm while we were out hiking. Apparently he knew of a trail not too far out of the city and that's where he was taking me. Please God, don't let me break my bones or his. And please let the weather stay clear. Oh, and Please, please, please, let this be over by eight. I really want to see Eddie.

~*C2C*~

So, the whole chapter was pretty much some Eddie/Bella interaction... And please don't kill me for the interrupted kiss again... I did promise UST! And, You guys have been asking for more Eddie- how'd I do? Do you love it? Hate it? Either way, I want to know! Reviews are definitely not as good as waking up to Eddie, but I still love them! Thanks guys! See you next Wednesday!

Oh! And if you want a teaser of Chapter 7, let me know! It's already written and waiting to tease you!